Dozens Dead, Thousands Stranded After Mexico Floods

Acapulco battered by hurricanes

Dozens of people are dead and tens of thousands stranded Thursday after floods and a massive landslide turned the tourist destination of Acapulco into a disaster area overnight. Fifty-eight people are also missing in the village of La Pintada, just two hours north, after a landslide through the town. Roughly 40,000 tourists were also stranded after the airport terminal flooded.

The extreme phenomena are the direct result of two hurricanes, Ingrid and Manuel, which have been hammering the Gulf and Pacific coasts, respectively, all week long. Manuel, now a category 1 storm, made landfall over Mexico’s northern flank early Thursday morning.

Reuters is reporting some looting in the town, particularly in the upscale neighborhood of Diamante. Marines have reportedly been posted near major shopping areas to prevent further theft.

“Unfortunately, it wasn’t looting from need of food. It was stealing for stealing’s sake,” Mariberta Medina, the head of a local hoteliers’ association told Reuters. “They even stole Halloween and Christmas decorations and an outboard motor.”

Manuel is expected to continue churning out 75 mph winds and will drop between 5 and 10 inches of rain. Mexico’s Interior Minister Osorio Chong has warned residents that more landslides should be expected.